Thanksgiving Weekend Recap

So here's our weekend recap for y'all!

Friday we stayed in and cleaned up. Ryan made his apple chutney for Thanksgiving because he had class for a couple of hours on Saturday. Plus he got all of the components of his cornbread and sausage stuffing ready. Then we went to the DVD store and bought the next, and last, season of West Wing so we'd have something to do on Sunday. Keep reading to find out about Sunday.

Thanksgiving in Ecuador

This will be the second Thanksgiving that I've spent away from home and it will be Ryan's first away from home. My first time was when I was in Prague. I had SUCH a fun day with new friends that day. And I expect being away this time to be exactly the same.

Photos from 21K

Early in the morning, getting ready to run!

After the race, with my pacer balloon! 

With the official banners!

Home on the couch, with hot chocolate and my medal. No big deal!

Mitad Del Mundo 21K

I raced this weekend and it was fantastic. I really had so much fun! The whole process is fun... the training and then the racing. It's a little anti-climactic though because now I feel like 'ok, whats next?' Not too much to say about the actual race besides it was long.

• We started at Plaza de Toros and we finished at Mitad del Mundo (the middle of the world, where the north and south hemispheres meet). 
• On Saturday we had to go pick up our packets. There was a lot of confusion if I was actually registered because I never received a confirmation email. So after emailing back and forth in Spanish with the race registration company, I find out that I was registered. As soon as we got to the EXPO it started pouring rain, so we didn't stay long (it was, of course, outside).
• The race started at 6am. I was up around 4:15 so that I could eat and get dressed. 
• There weren't a ton of participants. Nothing like the 15K I ran in July, but still there were probably a couple of thousand. 
• The race was all ups and downs. I probably ran on flat ground for 30 minutes max. Maybe 3 or 4 kilometers. 
• The worst part was the slow and steady uphill climb for the last 2 kilometers. 
• I felt really strong, not like I was going to die at all. Except for when I REALLY REALLY had to go to the bathroom at about the 10K mark and then again from the 19K to the finish. 
• My official chip time was 2:13:31! I wanted to run it in under 2:30, so I'm very happy!

All in all, I'm extremely happy to have finished the race and I can't wait for the next one. I have a new found respect for people who run the full marathon. I mean I've always respected them, but good Lord to do that twice?! That's crazy. On the other hand though, I really would like to run a full marathon, preferably at sea level in a very flat city... Chicago 2011? Maybe?!

Now though, it's on to things like planning our Thanksgiving dishes and getting a few Christmas gifts here and there! I cannot believe that we only have 14 more sleeps here until we board a plane for Chicago! I'm getting more and more excited everyday! 

MULUB, 

Taylor 

Weekend Update!

Thank GOD it's the weekend! I can't believe how slowly this past week went by. Up until now, the time has been FLYING, seriously flying! I go to bed one night and wake up in the morning and a whole month has gone by. But not this week, no of course not. Anyways, I was more than excited when the clock his 9:30 on Friday morning, because my weekend had begun!

Restaurant Recommendations

One of the initial goals of this blog was to help us remember our time here. Where we ate, where we stayed when we traveled, fun things we did in the city. It's turned into more 'what we've learned' and 'what is different' than the original goal. Yesterday as I was walking to class, I decided I should remedy that. We surprisingly have a nice handful of Ecuadorian readers, besides ourselves, and so this post (and the next couple posts) are for you! 

Winter Wonderland

Surprisingly I miss Chicago winter. We're full into winter season here in Quito and can I tell you something... it's terrible. Even though we arrived here in winter season last season, I wasn't prepared. If you remember we were in a drought last winter. Remember that day we didn't have water/electricity? It was because there wasn't enough rain during winter. Well, we're making up for all of that missed rain right now. So much so, that the fountains that have been off ALL YEAR are now on. It's strange and I don't like it.

On Friendship: Part 3 of 3

I've had a lot of time to think about friendship and it's something that I'm still trying to work out in my head. But I certainly have a clearer idea of what it is now, than I did 11 months ago. Being abroad is tough on relationships. I can't just bop over to have lunch with a friend, to have coffee, to have drinks, to watch a movie, etc. I can't just pick up the phone and have a good chat on the drive to work. I can't do all of the things that, for me, equated to a friendship. It's just not possible. I need to schedule phone calls and the only way I can see someone is via skype. And so if everything that I equate with friendship is taken away from the friendship, what kind of relationship is it?

Being away has changed the way that I look at what friendship is, how it works, and why it's important. I really had a hard time about 3 months into being here. The newness and excitement of being abroad and living with Ryan had worn off and I really was missing my friends. After having lived with 2 girls for the last 2 years and then living with a million of them at college, it was a sudden change to not have them around all of the time. Plus, its a lot of work to write and send an email. I know it doesn't seem like it is, but it is. When time passes the thought of filling someone in, via email, is daunting. You have to explain so much, and you have to go back in time. It's the task that you always put off until the next day and then 2 months have gone by and you still haven't done it. I get that. But it was hard for me to not be in communication with my friends.

I had a lot of conversations during that time about what is friendship and a lot of conversations asking, essentially, 'are we still friends?' And what I've come to realize is that as I get older, my relationships have to, need to change. They aren't comprised of sleep overs and sharing every intimate detail and every non-important conversation. People grow up and have less time. Plus people are developing serious romantic relationships that become number one, instead of the best friend and the romantic relationship being separate. And this is normal. This is natural. This is what happens to everyone. I'm not some weird crazy that's friendships are changing just because I moved to Ecuador. But this would have happened no matter where I live.

I also learned that friendships come and go, just like all things they ebb and flow. Sometimes they're strong and sometimes they aren't. But just because you're going through a weak phase in one friendship that doesn't mean that it's forever from this day forward invalid. It just means its weak right now.

Most of all, I've learned that I have to make my friendships work for me. They might not be what I imagined them to be, but I have to accept that. I have to be willing to let go of some relationships, either temporarily or permanently, that aren't good for me. Especially those that I put in effort, upon effort, upon effort without any return. I can't keep relying on those relationships as my strongest ones or most important ones.

It's definitely still a work in progress but I'm happy with it. I feel as if my friendships are more substantive now and that I don't take them for granted. One of my most anticipated times of being home is seeing my friends. I just can't wait to spend actual time with them.

So that's what I've learned. It's certainly not the most coherent thing but it's changing everyday. And for once, I'm ok with that.

MULUB,
Taylor

PS. 4 days until the race, 11 days until (we celebrate) Thanksgiving, and 21 days until we're home!

Oh The Stress

Here's just a little recap as to what's been happening lately:
Last Sat: we went to Mama Negra in Latacunga
Last Sun: we had people here to watch the football game and Chuki had a play date
Mon: I worked 4 hours
Tues: I worked 4.5 hours
Wed: I worked 5 hours and we got paid

Perfect Football Appetizer

Make sure you make a lot of these because they'll be snatched up in minutes! The recipe was taken straight from Martha Stewart and only one substitution was made - leeks for scallions!

Enjoy!

Cheesy Onion Rolls

Goodness, I hate the name of this bread. I need to think of something new. But until I do, here's the recipe. Warning... these rolls are super delicious and super versatile. You could make the filling out of anything and the bread is SO light and airy! You might eat all of them before your guests arrive. The directions are a little intensive but so so worth it. Don't be intimidated by the process, it's really not difficult. Best to start these babies early in the day because there are two periods of time where they have to rise.

MULUB,
Taylor

Last Night's Game

We had a very busy weekend and a very fun weekend. Friday we had a skype date with Ryan's family and with Doug! Saturday we got up early and went to Latacunga for the Mama Negra festival (more on that later). Then Sunday we had a puppy play date with a 4 month old boxer pup and her owner. Then we spent the rest of the day watching futbol and cooking for Sunday Night Football. We had six people over, plus us and Chuki. On the menu: Nacho Fries, Pumpkin Chili, Regular Cornbread, Jalepeno Cornbread, Cheesy Onion Rolls, and Vermont Spiced Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting. Everything was a hit and everyone left like you leave a football party in the states, full of beer, food and wishing the other team had won!

2 Lists

I don't know if it's because Christmas time is in full swing here, or if it's because we'll soon be in the land of consumerism but lately I've had this running list of things that I would love to buy scrolling through my head. I thought I'd share it with you...

1. Nike Fit watch because I never know how far I'm running. Plus my watch died yesterday and it's driving me crazy to keep looking at my wrist and not seeing anything!

2. Vibram shoes, if you can call them that. I don't know why I really want a pair of these, I just do. They seem pretty versatile. A little bit like keens, a little bit like tennis shoes. Whatever it is, I want them!

3. Food Mill. I have wanted a food mill for ages but just haven't gotten around to buying one and now that we're here in Ecuador I don't even think they sell them. I know you may think that I could just use the food processor but when Ina says use a food mill, I believe that the food mill is what I should use.

4. Spice Grinder. Ours just broke and we seriously use this little gadget for everything. My coffee, tahini, egg meal, bone meal, spices. The spice grinder is used daily in our household.

5. Hiking Pants. Basically I want them because they're water resistant, light weight, and dry quickly! They're a much better alternative to the Ecua-pants, that I have a strange suspicion are only acceptable in Ecuador.

6. Camera. My point-and-shoot is dying. I have to use a bobby pin to get the battery out in order to recharge it. And for the first time, I feel like I'd actually like to learn about taking good photos. Largely in part because of this blog, but also because I feel like my photos have no depth and there's so much to take pictures of here that has depth. I really have no idea about this specific camera but I know I want something similar to this one.

7. Collapsible Dog Bowls. While travelling, there's nothing bulkier than Chuki's food and water bowls. If you saw the photos of our recent camping trip, that big black bag that Ryan had hanging from his pack was full of Chuki stuff. Including these super large dog bowls. These would be nice to have.

8. New clothes - work, life, running. I'm not talking a ton of new clothes but just the basics. No link necessary.

Like I said, I have this list scrolling through my head lately. But I also have this list too... The Things I'm Looking Forward To When I'm Home list, which includes...

1. Memory Foam Pillow. Our pillows here are terrible and I can't wait to have my beloved pillow back!

2. Pure Beech Jersey Sheets. These are heaven. If you don't have them, make your way to the nearest Bed Bath and Beyond to buy them RIGHT NOW!

3. Pizza from here, here and here.

4. Bogdan Christmas. Enough said.

5.  Cozy Pants. These specific ones I accidently left at my parent's house because I was wearing them when I was packing.

6. And of course, it's a given, but seeing friends and family!

I think maybe I'm a lists person. 


MULUB, 
Taylor

Japan v. Korea

So we've officially begun looking at jobs in Japan and Korea. We're thinking we'd want to start in the Fall of 2011. It makes me super excited to think about this new opportunity and just looking at the pictures on the websites are breathtaking!

But we need your help. It seems like everyone we know knows someone thats working in Asia as an English teacher. We're looking for two things:

1. People that teach English in Asia.
2. How to get in contact with them.

If you could help us with this, we'd really be appreciative. Right now we're only at the very beginning stages but after teaching for almost a year now, we certainly have a better understanding of what questions to ask and what to look for.

Thanks so much!

MULUB,
Taylor

On Friendship: Part 2 or 3

Old Friends...

I started talking about them in Part 1, but I tried to focus. Now, let me tell you something about old friends: there are no better people in the world. For me, my old friends are the most important people in the world to me. If you're one of my many, many family members, don't think that you're excluded from this category, because you aren't.

Pululahua

We're back from camping! It was so much fun. I feel absolutely refreshed and re-energized about living in Quito. There are some things only nature can do.

Camping

We're going camping today through Tuesday or Wednesday, we're not quite sure. We'll be camping in an active volcano crater, so it should be quite fun! We've heard its beautiful, actually we've been there and it is beautiful. But we haven't been down into the crater, just up on the rim.

I'm ready to get out of the city and commune with nature. Hopefully we all come back in one piece! We're taking Chuki so you never know what could happen. More on our trip when we get back!

MULUB,
Taylor